Mirfield schoolgirl Bailey Coppack to start life-changing tumour treatment

On Thursday May 10, Bailey Coppack will fly out to Oklahoma to have proton therapy to treat her brain tumour.

Bailey discovered that she had a benign brain tumour when she collapsed in 2008.

Because the tumour is wrapped around her brain stem, treatments available in the UK could paralyse her or affect her ability to learn.

Last month the Department of Health approved Bailey’s application to have proton therapy in America, but the date was not confirmed until yesterday.

Lisa said: “We have been in limbo. We knew we were going but we needed a date. Now we have got a date, Bailey is really excited about going.”

Bailey, of Overhall Road, Mirfield, will be in America for between eight and 12 weeks.

She will fly out with her mum, stepfather, Graham Ellis, sister, Ellie and half-brother, Jamie. Her dad, Damien, will go out in June.

The family has spent all of this year raising money for the trip, reaching £26,000.

On Saturday Bailey’s family were presented with a cheque for £10,000 from Huddersfield Town FC. The club dedicated a match to Bailey and donated the proceeds of programme sales to her fund.

Bailey went out on to the pitch at the Galpharm Stadium to the thank the thousands of Town supporters who have backed her.

Cash has also been raised by a team from Brighouse who completed the Three Peaks Challenge and staff from the Alma Inn in Thornhill, who did a sponsored walk at the weekend.

Crossley Fields School, where Bailey’s sister Ellie goes, raised £511 from a bun sale and pupils who paid to dress up as superheroes.

On Saturday May 12 staff from Bailey’s school, Castle Hall Academy, will do a sponsored skydive and the Pear Tree Inn is holding a charity football match and race night.

The family is now considering setting up their own charity, using any money they have left after Bailey’s treatment to help other children undergoing proton therapy.

To keep up to date with Bailey’s treatment, visit www.baileysfund.org.uk.